Saltlight art is moving into a larger space next door at 1916 Central Avenue Suite B | SaltLight ART

A popular boho-chic boutique is getting a bigger home in the Grand Central District.

SaltLight Art is relocating next door into a space more than double the size of its current shop, creating room for more apparel, accessories, jewelry, and artwork.

The boutique is moving from Suite A to Suite B at 1916 Central Avenue, expanding from its current 1,000-square-foot storefront to more than 2,000 square feet.

The new space previously housed Chillum Mushroom and Hemp Dispensary, which closed in late April.

“When they closed, we saw this as a great opportunity to hop right over into this larger space and get a larger square footage without leaving our block and our neighborhood,” said Mary Long, who co-owns SaltLight Art with her husband, William, in a conversation with St. Pete Rising.

Long said she received the keys earlier this month and expects to open the new shop by the end of May.

The space is currently undergoing renovations as she refinishes floors, updates paint, installs light fixtures, and works with a local muralist on new signage.

The expanded storefront will allow SaltLight Art to better organize and display its inventory, which includes apparel ranging from linens to denim, leather handbags, jewelry, and accessories.

Saltlight offers a variety of apparel, jewelry, accessories, and more | SaltLight ART

The boutique also plans to introduce several new jewelry artists and carry a wider variety of handmade goods.

Long creates much of the inventory herself, including Western-style felt hats adorned with ribbons, silk, and found feathers.

She also curates a collection of Old World-inspired jewelry featuring gold-plated necklaces, bracelets, and earrings accented with freshwater pearls and charms.

Long works with numerous vendors, such as Susan Shaw, known for her triple-plated 24-karat gold and sterling silver pieces embellished with European coins, coastal motifs, and semi-precious stones.

“My jewelry is more rustic, while hers is more refined. The pieces pair perfectly and complement each other in a layered look,” Long said.

Other items carried in the shop include Bed|Stu leather handbags and shoes, LeGrande Jewelry, and Buddha Love Clothing, a bohemian-inspired apparel line created by local artist Lisa Taylor.

“We are definitely crammed into our current space,” Long said. “People miss things because there’s so much inventory stacked on top of each other.”

Saltlight carries jewelry by Susan Shaw, known for her triple-plated 24-karat gold and sterling silver pieces embellished with European coins, coastal motifs, and semi-precious stones | saltlight art

The move also creates room for something that had become difficult in the current storefront: displaying artwork.

Over the past several months, Long has been working on a new series of abstract paintings with coastal influences that will debut in the new location.

SaltLight Art traces its roots back to the Longs’ homeless outreach initiative, William & Mary, which Mary funded through sales of her handcrafted jewelry while William worked a full-time job.

Over time, that evolved into an art gallery in the Warehouse Arts District and later a brick-and-mortar storefront at 649 Central Avenue, where Shoreline Sugars now operates.

That location closed during the pandemic in 2020 before the business reopened in the Grand Central District in 2023.

“I feel like Grand Central is the heart and soul of this city, and where you can find these mom-and-pop stores,” Long said. “This shop is really my outlet where I get to express myself.”

SaltLight Art will maintain the same operating hours after relocating, remaining open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Be sure to follow SaltLight Art on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date on the latest offerings and for a grand opening announcement.